In fact, Nathan himself said he’d like to be a Tiger during an interview on MLB Network Radio on Monday.

“I definitely love the Tigers, know them very well having competed against that squad for so many years,” the longtime Minnesota Twin said. “Detroit’s definitely a very appealing and attractive team to look at, I think.”

Of course, if the Tigers were Nathan’s only option, he would’ve signed by now. Alas.

ESPN.com’s Jim Bowden, the former general manager of the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, today insinuated that the Tigers could land Nathan for $24 million over two years.

In suggesting one off-season move for each American League team, Bowden wrote: “Nathan is arguably the best closer in this class and even at 38 years old is not slowing down as demonstrated by his 1.39 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 43 saves. He’s at the top of the Tigers’ priority list of free-agent closers, and Nathan has made it known that he’d love to be able to call Detroit his home for 2014 and beyond.”

Detroit’s biggest competition, it seems, will come from the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels.